Axle-box



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

H. L. CASTILE, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE'.

AxLE-Box.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 28,253, dated May 15, 1860.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, H. L. CASTILE, of Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Car-Axle Boxes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof,

reference being had to the annexed draw-l ings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l, represents a longitudinal central section, taken through the journal box showing the journal of the car axle in the same, bearing against my improved wedge block. Fig. 2, is a transverse section taken through the box, wedge-bearing block and axle.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondiiig parts in both figures.

In the drawings A, represents a journal box, B the journal of the car axle, C a piece to prevent oil from escaping from the box, A, a ud running along the axle, and E, guides for fitting the box in the hangers. may all be in common with journal boxes, and journals of the present construction.

G is a wedge or cone sided bearing block shown in longitudinal section in Fig. 1, and in transverse section in Fig. 2, which is made somewhat larger laterally, than the seat into which it bears so that a recess J, will be left above the block G, and between the block and inner surface of the top of the journal box, the object of which will be hereinafter described.

The blocks used for the upper bearings of the journals B, are inade of any suitable hard wood which is boiled in oil until the sap has all been driven off, and the oil has filled the pores. The blocks or pieces of wood are then subjected to pressure, and the bers all compactly forced together in a lateral direction. In this state the pieces of wood are cut, or they may have been previously formed into wedge shaped blocks These.

Gr, corresponding in shape to their seats, in the upper portion of the journal box A, as clearly shown by Fig. 2, but, slightly larger than their seats so that the upper or top surfaces of the blocks will not bear against the inner surface of the tops of said boxes, this will bring a lateral strain upon the blocks, and all the pressure of the weight of the car, will fall on their inclined sides, which will have the effect of compressing the fibers of the wood more firmly together, and of rendering it more durable, preventing it from splitting or splintering and keeping the blocks securely in their seats.

The fibers of the wedge or cone sided bearing blocks all run in one direction and are perpendicular to the axis of'the journal so that the journal will bear against the wood in the direction of the length of its fibers which are under constant compression.

I am well aware that wood has been used for journal bearings for slow motioned shafts, and that the blocks have been so placed that the pressure would be in a. direction with that of the fibers.

I am also aware that wood of various kinds has been saturated with oil and subjected to heavy pressure for increasing its density making it tougher and harder, but these I do not claim.

That I do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is The employment of the cone sided block G, having the base resting upon the journal B, in combination with the inclined sided seat A, as herein shown and described so that a space J, Will be left between the upper part of the block Gr, and the seat A, and the fibers of the block will be laterally compressed, all as set forth.

A H. L. CASTILE. VVit-nesses:

LoUIs F. CARR, A. CASTEEL. 

